50 Famous & Successful People Who Are Diabetic

January 19th, 2011

Diabetes is a serious, sometimes life-threatening disease that affects millions of people, famous and successful included. But suffering from this disease doesn't mean your life has to stop where it is-many people have gone on to live full, productive lives, achieving greatness from Nobel Prizes to Halls of Fame. Read on to learn about 50 famous and successful people who achieved despite this unfortunate affliction.

Science & Medicine

Inventors, doctors, and other people of science achieved greatness in the face of diabetes.

George R. Minot: This Nobel Prize Winner for anemia was one of the first patients treated with insulin.

Lois Jovanovic: Lois is a pioneer in the work of diabetes and pregnancy.

Della Reese: Singer and actress Della Reese is an American Diabetes Association spokeswoman.

Walt Kelly: Part of the animation team at Disney, Walt Kelly died due to complications of diabetes.

Ella Fitzgerald: The "First Lady of Song," Ella lost both her legs and ultimately her life to diabetes.

Mary Tyler Moore: The TV sitcom actress is the international chairwoman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Bret Michaels: The lead singer of Poison has found a way to balance diabetes and his lifestyle.

Randy Jackson: Randy Jackson is an American Idol judge and a part of the American Heart Association's The Heart of Diabetes campaign.

James Cagney: The Academy Award winning tough guy actor died of a heart attack combined with complications from diabetes.

Miles Davis: This jazz musician received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award despite diabetes.

Bo Diddley: Despite fighting diabetes, hypertension, and stroke, Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation, as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nick Jonas: Nick Jonas of the Jonas brothers is determined to not let diabetes slow him down.

Halle Berry: Halle Berry is the first African American woman to win an Oscar for Best Actress and an avid volunteer for the Juvenile Diabetes Association.

Tony Bennett: Grammy Award winning jazz singer and a member of the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame, Tony Bennett achieves beyond diabetes.

Rick James: Funk legend Rick James had various health issues, including diabetes and the need of a pacemaker.

Jerry Lewis: The comedian, actor, director, and all around entertainer has had two heart attacks, prostate cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis in addition to type 1 diabetes.

James Brown: A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, James Brown also suffered from prostate cancer and pneumonia.